Shrimp and Grits (Curly-Top Style)

Today I tried a recipe that was so good I just had to share it with you. At first shrimp and grits just seemed like a bizarre combination, but after I tried them, I have to admit, I was 'wowed!'

I invite you, my friends, to venture out and join me in the wonderful world of cooking.

Shrimp and Grits (Curly-Top Style)

Grits
Shredded Colby-jack cheese
4-5 slices of low-sodium bacon, chopped (for low fat use turkey bacon)
1 lb. pre-cooked shrimp
1/4 Cup chopped yellow onion
1/4 Cup chopped green bell pepper
2-3 cloves minced garlic
1 can of no-salt added diced tomatoes
Beef/chicken broth (whatever you have on hand)
Juice of 1 lemon
1/2 tbs. pepper sauce (Tobasco sauce)
¼ tsp. Black pepper
1/4 tsp dried parsley flakes

For those of you who aren’t familiar with grits, it's basically a hot cereal similar to cream of wheat only it’s made from ground hominy (in the corn family). For this recipe I used instant grits, which you can find in the hot cereal section of your grocery store.

First, prepare the desired amount of grits according to the instructions on the package. After they are cooked, sprinkle with black pepper, and add a generous amount of butter, just a little bit of milk, and some plain low-fat yogurt for creaminess.

Next, place your chopped bacon in a large sauté pan on medium heat. (Note: If you are using turkey bacon, be sure to add a drizzle of olive oil to your pan first, since turkey bacon does not have much fat it will burn easily.) As the bacon begins to brown, add the onion, garlic, and green bell pepper. Once the bacon and the vegetables are cooked, add the shrimp. (Since the shrimp is already cooked, you only need to leave it on the fire long enough for it to heat up.) Next add the canned tomatoes, a couple ladles of beef or chicken stock, lemon juice, pepper sauce, pepper, and parsley flakes.
Let your shrimp mixture come to a simmer until everything is heated through.

Grab a bowl; fill it with a desirable amount of grits, then top it off with shredded cheese, shrimp, and bon apetit. (Oh, and don’t forget to pray before you eat :o)